Inductive sensor based on nano-scale SQUIDs

摘要

Detectors with sufficient sensitivity to resolve the energy of single photons and particles combined with rapid response times are becoming increasingly important. We describe work in progress on a recently-proposed type of sensor, which we have named the Inductive Superconducting Transition Edge Detector (ISTED). We have theoretically estimated the energy sensitivity of such a sensor, in the case where the heat absorber is incorporated within the sensitive area of a nano-scale SQUID which acts as an inductive readout device. Recent results on the experimental characterization of prototype devices in the temperature range 5-8 K are presented, and ongoing work which is intended to achieve smaller device dimensions together with lower operating temperatures is described.